Streams

Latin Roots: Fania Records Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Fania Records celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
(Courtesy of the label
)

Jul 24, 2014

From
and

On today's episode of Latin Roots, the multitalented Rachel Faro helps us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fania Records. More than a record label, the imprint synonymous with salsa music was also a cross between a family and a way of life.

Fania's ascendance in the '60s was the product of immigration and a vibrant community of talented Puerto Rican players finding a new home in New York. And the closing of Havana to the outside world helped make New York even more of a Latin music center.

Fania embraced it all, and Faro plays some great examples. Today, the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival is celebrating Fania's 50th with a performance of Larry Harlow's Hommy: A Latin Opera. The commemoration continues Aug. 3 with a tribute to Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez.To experience Fania's music right now, you can listen to this Spotify playlist curated by Faro.

WNYC 93.9 FM and AM 820 are New York's flagship public radio
stations, broadcasting the finest programs from NPR, PRI and American Public Media, as well as a wide range of award-winning local
programming. WNYC is a division of
New York Public Radio.